Refrigeration system control



Dec. 20, 1938. HI w. 'OHLHAVER REFBIGERATION SYSTEM CONTROL Filed July3o, 1935 3 sheets-sheet 1 mw mm Sv Flin l l l l n 1 l l l l l l l I lINVENTOR` MM @www f//z ATTORNEYS l v Dec. 20, 1938. H. W. OHLHAVER2,140,810

REF? IGERATION SYSTEM CONTROL ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1938. I H. w. OHLHAVER2,140,810

REFR IGERAT ION SYSTEM CONTROL Filed July 30, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Il,I//r/ Z ze a I z8 /4 g 55 i z5 6 L L v fl 0:22235* 7 /5 I ATTORNEYSPatented Dec. 20, 1.938

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM CONTROL Homer W. Ohlhaver, Lakewood, Ohio, assgnor,by mesne assignments, to The Bastian-Blessing Qompany, Chicago, Ill.,

Illinols a corporation of Application July 30, 1935, Serial No. 33,841

6 Claims.

This invention relates` to refrigeration systems and has for one of itsobjects the provision of means whereby a refrigerated compartment may bemaintained at a uniform temperature from top to bottom, or, if` desired,may be maintained at a colder temperature at the bottom region than atthe top region of the compartment-- Another object is to provide arefrigeration lsystem for refrlgerating a plurality of compartlO mentssuch as the ice cream and liquid cooling sections of a soda fountain, inwhichl refrigerant is supplied from a common source of supply but soarranged that one compartment upon demand for increased refrigerationwill cause operation l5 of the refrigerant supplying source irrespectiveof the condition of the-other compartment o1' compartments.

Another object is to provide a refrigeration system for refrigerating aplurality of vsections of a soda fountain in which the temperature ofeach section may be maintained at a predetermined degree irrespective ofthe other sections.

With the above and other objects in view, the

present invention consists of certain features of construction andcombinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to theac`l companying drawings and then claimed.

In the drawings whichillustrate a suitable embodiment of the invention,Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through a soda fountain, inwhich the refrigeration system of the present invention is incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the refrigeration system; l

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the soda fountain takenapproximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section throughone of the expansion valves;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken through aheat interchanger usedin the refrigeration system; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the electric circuit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer tolike parts through'- out the several views, the soda fountain cabinet Iselected for illustration is providedwith four sections or compartments,namely, an icecream compartment 2, a cold vcompartment 3, a liquidcooling compartment 4, and a syrup jar compartment 5.

The ice cream compartment 2 in the construction' shown is provided witha pairof slidable trays 6 suitable for holding small ice creamcontainers, such as for example, containers of 21/2 gallon capacity, andbelow these trays 6 a number of subcompartments 1 are provided which maybe used for storing packages, bulk ice cream,

or other articles. 5 The liquid cooling compartment contains the coolingcoils 8 and 9 for drinking water and soda water, and these coils arerespectively connected with faucets I0 and Il. The refrigeration coil I2for the liquid cooling lcompartment 4 sur- 10 rounds the coils Sand 9 asshown in Fig. 1, and

is immersed in a water bath. 'Ihe cold compartment 3 is cooled throughthe wall-of the liquid cooling compartment 4. 'The syrup jar compartment5 in the construction shown is also provided l5.

with a refrigerating coil I3. In some instances such as when one or bothof the sliding'trays 6 are removed and when full length ice creamcontainers are disposed in the compartment 2, it is desirable to havethe ice cream compartment of 20 uniform temperature from top'xvtobottom. In other instances such as when packaged ice cream is storedinthe sub-compartment 1 and small containers are carried bythe trays 6,it is desirable to maintain a lower temperature near 25 the bottom ofthe ice cream compartment 2 in order to keep the .packaged ice cream inthe subcompartment 1 at a lower temperature than the ice cream carriedby the trays 6.

In accordance with the present invention the 30 refrigerating coil I4for the ice cream compartment 2 extends completely around thecompartment 2 only at the upper portion thereof and part way downwardlytoward the bottom of the wall of the compartment as shown in Figs. 1, 2,35 l and 3, and this refrigerating coil I4 is provided with an extensionI5 which extends substantially to the bottom of the backwall onlyof thecompartment-Z, as shown in Figs. 1, 2J, and 3. However, the extension I5may 'also be arranged at 40 the sides of the compartment 2. The coil I4and extension I5 are surrounded by a uid filled chamber I6 which iscomposed of the walls of the compartment 2, and spaced side, front andback members I1, I8, and I9, respectively, the back 45 member I9extending substantially the full `height of the backwall of thecompartment 2 and the side and front portions I 1 and I8, respectively,extending only part way downwardly as shown in Figs. l and 3. Also, thecoil.l4 is 50 coiled around the compartment 2 from its' inlet in anupward direction, and the extension I5 is extended back and forth vin anupward direction from the bottom of the compartment 2 and has its outletadjacent the inlet of the coll I4.

one end of the cabinet I and the feed line or conduit 22 is providedwith three branches. One

l branch 24 leads to an expansion valve 25 and then to a solenoidoperated valve 2G which is connected with the inlet end of therefrigerating coil I2 located inv the cooling compartment 4. The outletend of the refrigerating coil I2 is connected with the return line orconduit 23.

A second branch 2'I of the feed line leads to an expansion valve 28 andthen preferably to a solenoid operated valve 29 which is connected totheinlet end of the refrigerating coil I3 for the syrup jar compartment 5.The outlet end cf the coil I3 is also connected with the return line orconduit 23.

The third branch 30 of the feed line or conduit 22 leads to an expansion4valve 3| and then to a solenoid operated valve 32 which is connected tthe inlet of the refrigerating coil I4. The outlet end of the extensionI of the refrigerating coil |4 is connected with a heat interchanger 33which includes a casing 35 which is connected with the return conduit 23and within which a portion of the feed conduit 30 is coiled as shown inFig. 5.

The expansion valve 25 is controlled by a bulb 36 connected thereto by aconduit 3`I and which is located adjacent the coil I2, and whichcontains an expansible and contractable medium for opening the expansionvalve.

The solenoid valve 26 is controlled by a switch 38 which is 'operated bypressure from a bulb 39 also located adjacent the' coil I2.

The expansion valve 28 is Vcontrolled by a bulb 40 containing anexpansible and contractible medium and is connected thereto by a conduit4I which is located adjacent the refrigerating coil I3. The solenoidvalve 29 is controlled by a switch 42 which is operated by pressure froma bulb 43 also located adjacent the coil I3.

Similarly, the expansion valve 3| is controlled by a bulb 44 containingan expansible and contractable medium and connected therewith by aconduit 45, the bulb 44 being located adjacent the coil I4. The solenoidvalve 32 is controlled by a switch 45 which is operated by pressure froma bulb 41 also located adjacent the coil I4.

The expansion valves 25, 218, and 3| may be of any suitableconstruction, a conventional construction being shown in Fig. 4 whichincludes an adjusting means 48.

It is to be understood, however, that the eX- pansion valves 25, 28 .and3| and their controlling mechanism are shown for the purpose ofillustration and that any other suitable means for providing for thedecrease in pressure of the refrigerant necessary to permit the desiredtransfer of heat, may be utilized.

The switches 38, 42, and 46 are of any suitable pressure operated typeand are provided with means 49 for adjusting the same. Each of thecircuits for thesolenoid valves is preferably provided with a cutoutswitch 50.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a wiring diagram for the adjustable switches38, 42 and 46, which are connected in parallel with a common powersource and control the solenoid Valves 26, 29 and 32, respectively.

In the expansion valve shown for illustration in Fig. 4, refrigerant isprevented from flowing by a spring pressed slide Valve rod 53 whichthereof into engagement with the valve rod 53 and moves the same to openposition, the sizeof the opening through which the refrigerant passesbeing determined by the degree of movement of the ,plunger 54. Byadjusting the adjusting means 48 the plunger 54 may be positioned closerto the valve rod 53 so that upon a demand for a refrigerant ow the valveopening will be increased in size or the plunger 54 may be positionedfurther away from the valve rod 53 so that upon a demandffor refrigerantflow the valve opening will be decreased in size. The size of the valveopening, of course, `determines the point in the refrigerating coilwhere the refrigrant completely passes from its liquid state to itsgaseous state at which time it loses its effectiveness as a refrigerant.This point in the refrigeration coil can be selected by properlyadjusting the expansion valve through the medium of the adjusting means48.

It is Well known thatcold air will descend and that in asoda fountain orice cream compartment it is necessary only to provide for refrigerationnear the upper region of the compartment when it is desired to have auniform temperature throughout the height ofthe compartment, such aswhen full length containers of ice cream are stored in the ice creamcompartment.

It will be noted in the present construction that the coil I4 extendscompletely around the upper region of the compartment 2.

Assuming for example that full length ice cream containers are stored inthe compartment 2, and that it is desired to maintain a temperaturewhich is uniform throughout the height of the ice cream compartment 2,then the adjusting means 48 for the expansion Valve 3| is so set thatthe refrigerant will be effective as a refrigerating medium only whileit is in the refrigerant coil I4 and before it flows through theextension I5 of the coil I4. In other words, the expansion valve is soset that the refrigerant will have passed into the gaseous state by thetime the refrigerant has reached the upper turn of the refrigeratingcoil I4, and so that the lrefrigerant flows in a gaseous state throughthe extension I5 thereby rendering the extension I 5 ineffective.

On the other hand, if it is desired that the temperature at the lowerportion of the compartment 2 in the region of the sub-compartments 1 belower than the temperature at the upper region of the compartment 2 inthe vicinity of the sliding trays 6, such as when packaged ice cream isstored in the subcompartments, then the adjusting means 48 of theexpansion valve 3| is so set that the refrigerant will be effective as acooling medium not only as it passes through the length of therefrigerating coil I4 but also throughout the length or any desiredportion of the length of the extension I5 of the coil I4. In otherwords, the expansion valve 3| is adjusted so that the refrigerant willpass from the liquid to a gaseous state at a desired point in theextension I5.

The bulbs 36, 40, and 44 are, of course, affected by the temperature ofthe liquid medium adjacent the respective coils I2, I3, and I4, and'whenthe temperature rises to a. predetermined degree the medium within thesebulbs and conduits and the chambers 52 of the expansion valves expandsand causes the expansion valves to openl a predetermined amount andpermit the circulation of the refrigerant through the refrigeratingcoils. As a predetermined lower temperature adjacent any particular bulbis reached, the contraction of the bulb medium permits the springpressed valve rod 53 of the expansion valve in question to close thevalve opening, and thereby prevent theilow of the refrigerant to therefrigerating coil. The temperature at which the expansion valve closesis determined by the setting of the adjusting means 48.

In the refrigeration system of the present invention, means are providedso that any one of the refrigerating coils I2, I3, and I4 may besupplied with refrigerant independently of the other coils. A singlecompressor may be used for supplying the coils I3, I2, and i4 withrefrigerantv and three separate controls are provided for thecompressor, so that if any twoof the refrigerated compartments are atthe proper temperature and the third compartment demands additionalrefrigeration, the compressor will be started in-operation to supply thedemand of the coil for that 'compartment with refrigerant.

These controls are the three solenoid actuated Valves 26, 29, and 32 andtheir respective pressure actuated switches 38, 42, and 46, which are inparallel with each other. The switch adjusting means 49 are set so thatthe solenoidactuated valve will close and the associated switches willopen either at the temperature at which the expansion valves close or atany predetermined temperature above the temperature at which theexpansion valves close.

Assuming for example that all of the expansion valves and all of thesolenoid actuated valves are closed and the ice cream compartment 2 intime requires increased refrigeration. then the expansion of the mediumin the bulbs 44 and 41 and their attendant mechanisms, respectively,cause the expansion valve 3l to open and the switch 46 to close, opensthe solenoid actuated valve k32, which raises the pressure in thesuction line, causing the pressure actuated switch 60 in the motorcircuit to close, thus permitting the coil I4 to be supplied withrefrigerant. When the desired temperature is reached, as determined bythe setting of the adjusting means 49, solenoid valve 32 closes throughthe contraction of the medium in the bulb 41, irrespective of whether.

or notthe bulb 44 .is in condition to close the expansion valve, and thecompressor motor then stops.

However, if in the meantime a demand for increased refrigeration in thecompartment 4, for, example, has been created, then the expansion.

valve 25 and solenoid valve '26 will have opened, but the opening ofswitch 46 and closure of valve .32' will not cause the compressor motorto stop,

' as the valve 26 permits the operation of the compressor motor. y

It is thus seen that each of the refrigeration controls is provided witha separate control and is not dependent for its operation on .theoperation of any of the other refrigerating coils for its supply ofrefrigerant, and permits it to maintain its associated refrigeratedcompartment at the desired temperature.

Furthermore, the adjusting means 49, which determine the temperatures atwhich the solenoid valves 26, 29 and 32 will close, are readilyaccessible, so that the soda fountain operator or dispenser can easilyselect a desired temperature for conditioning the ice cream or toincrease or decrease the cooling capacity of the coil I2.v

If desired, the solenoid actuated switch I2 and bulb 43 may be omitted,in which case the supply of refrigerant to the refrigerating coil I3will be dependent upon the operation of the compressor through thedemand created in 4compartment 2 or 4.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been herein shown anddescribed it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted Without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined in the following claims. c

I claim:

l. In a refrigeration system, a refrigerating member, means forsupplying fresh refrigerant under pressure to the member and withdrawingspent refrigerant therefrom, conductors for carrying therefrigerantbetween therefrigerating` member and the supply means,throttle means responsive to temperature changes adjacent therefrigerating member for controlling the rate of flow of refrigerantinto the refrigeratspent refrigerant from the refrigerating member tothe supplying means to actuate the supplying means when the last namedpressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

2. In a refrigerating system, a refrigerating member, means forsupplying fresh refrigerant under pressure to the member and withdrawingspent refrigerant therefrom, conductors for carrying therefrigerantbetween the refrigerating member and the supplying means,throttle means responsive to temperature changes adjacent therefrigerating member for controllingthe rate of flow of refrigerant intothe' refrigerating member, and arranged to permit an increase in therate of ow upon an increase in said tem-y perature and to decrease the-vrate of flow upon a decrease in said temperature, temperature responsivemeans associated with the refrigerating member, an electrically operablevalve associated with the temperature responsive means for admittingrefrigerant to the refrigerant member only when the latter is above apredetermined temperature; an adjustable means for selecting andpredetermining the temperature at which said temperature responsivemeans will actuate the electrically operable Valve, and means re-lsponsive to the pressure in the conductor carrying spent refrigerantfrom the refrigerating-member to the supplying means to actuate thesupplying means when the last named pressure exceeds a predeterminedamount.

'3. The combination in a refrigeration' system of a plurality ofrefrigerating members, a common means for supplying fresh refrigerant tosaid members, conductors for carrying the refrigerant between therefrigerating members vand the supplying means, throttle means forregulating the flow of refrigerant through each of said refrigeratingmembers, each 'of said Vthrottle means being responsive to temperaturechanges adjacent the refrigerating member with which it is associatedfor controlling the` flow of refrigerant into the refrigerating member,and arranged 'to permit an increase in the rate of flow upon an increasein said temperature and to decrease the rate of flow upon a decrease insaid temperature, controls for each of said refrigerating memberswhereby to supply refrigerant thereto irrespective of the condition ofthe other of said refrigerating members, each of said controls includinga temperature controlled electric switch in parallel with the likeswitch or switches of the other of said controls, an electicallyoperable valve for regulating the admission of refrigerant to therefrigerating member, said control valve being operable with the closingof the temperature controlled switch to permit the supply of refrigerantto the refrigerating member, and means responsive to the pressure in theconductor carrying refrigerant to the supplying means to control thestarting and stopping of the supplying means.

4. The combination in a refrigeration system of a plurality ofrefrigerating members, a common means for supplying refrigerant to saidmembers, conductors for carrying fresh refrigerant from the supplyingmeans to the refrigerating members, conductors for carrying spentrefrigerant from the refrigerating members to the supplying means,individual throttle means associated with each refrigerating member,said throttle means each being responsive to temperature changesadjacent its particular refrigerating member, and arranged to permit anincrease inl the rate of flow of refrigerant thereinto upon an increasein said temperature and to decrease the rate of now thereinto upon adecrease in said temperature, temperature responsive means associatedwith each of said refrigerating members, valve means operated by saidtemperature responsive means for admitting refrigerant to the associatedrefrigerating member only when said temperature responsive meansregisters a demand therefor, an adjustable means for selecting andpredetermining the temperature at which said temperature responsivemeans actuates the valve means, and means responsive to the pressure inthe conductor carrying spent refrigerant from the refrigerating membersto the supplying means to actuate the supplying means when the lastnamed pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

5. The combination in a refrigerating system of a plurality ofrefrigerating members, a. common means actuated by an electric motor forsupplying refrigerant to said members, conductors for carrying freshrefrigerant from the supplying means to the refrigerating members,conductors for carrying spent refrigerant from the4 refrigeratingmembers to the supplying means,

individual throttle means associated with each refrigerating member,each throttle means being responsive to temperature changes in a portionof the refrigerating member with which it is associated, and arranged-to permit an increase in the rate of flow of refrigerant thereinto uponan increase in said temperature and to decrease the rate of flowthereinto upon a decrease in said temperature, a plurality of electricsolenoid valves for controlling the flow of refrigerant into therefrigerating member, a plurality of electric switches, each responsiveto the temperature adjacent one of the refrigerating members, saidswitches connected in theelectric circuits of the solenoid valves toactuate the latter individually and permit the now of refrigerant intolthe corresponding refrigerating members upon a demand therefortransmitted through the temperature responsive switches, all of saidswitches being connected in parallel, and an electric switch seriesconnected in the motor circuit. said last named switch being responsiveto the pressure in the conduits returning spent refrigerant to therefrigerant supply means, and arranged to close upon said pressureexceeding a predetermined amount, whereby therefrigerant supply means isactuated upon an increase in pressure above a predetermined amount inthe conduits returning spent refrigerant to the supplying means and thesupply means is arrested upon a decrease in pressure in the spentrefrigerant returning conduits below a predetermined value.

6. In a refrigeration system, a plurality of refrigerating members, acommon means for supplying refrigerant to said members, conductors forcarrying. the refrigerant between the refrigerating members and thesupplying means, individual throttle means for regulating the ow ofrefrigerant into each of said refrigerating members, and controls forsupplying refrigerant to one of the refrigerating members irrespectiveof the condition of the others of said refrigeratel l) ing members, saidcontrols including an electric switch responsive to the temperature ofits associated refrigerating member, an electrically op,

erable valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to therefrigerating member, said AValve arranged to be energized through saidswitch to permit the flow of refrigerant to the refrigerating member,manually operable means associated with saidv switch for selectivelypredetermining the temperature at which the latter energizes the valve,and an electric switch responsive to the pressure in the conductorcarrying refrigerant to the supplying means from the refrigeratingmembers arranged to actuate the supplying means when said pressureexceeds a predetermined amount.

HOMER W. OHLHAVER.

